for matt katz - a packing density question - particle man particle

updated sun 1 apr 07

Alex Solla on sat 31 mar 07

man

This is what I was waiting for either Matt or Dr. Carty to say...
kaolinite is kaolinite. Sure, we have other ceramic-like beasties out
there to play with in our clay; montorillinite, hectorite, illites, etc.
But kaolinite is really it. On a micro scale. I love reading Matt and Bill.
You both
remind me why I had so much fun at Alfred. Thanks!

So, a new question... does calcined clay offer any benefits in terms of
filling
these gaps between non-calcined/plastic clays? Or are they breaking up any
plasticity
the clay provides? Obviously calcined clays help in terms of drying and
shrinkage,
but I have always been curious to know if any work has been done introducing
them
into an otherwise plastic body. Here's the idea: if a porcelain body is
floppy but plastic
without any major changes, and adding molochite grog helps make it less
floppy...
would using a calcined clay (far finer than molochite) make things any
better in terms of plasticity
and floppiness?

Just curious.

Thanks again to Matt and Bill for their on-going dialogue. Been a while
since I've followed a thread on clayart so intently.

I would say yes they would have
the same GPD. but in fact by doing that you for the most part have exactly
the same clay because kaolins and ball clays are all composed from the same
kaolinitic base, +/- Iron and titanium content. All those variables removed.
I would expect the clays to work the same.